Phillies Name NLDS Starters

In the highly anticipated news of the past week since the Phils won their fourth straight division, manager Charlie Manuel finally announced his game one and two starters. He didn’t announce the game three pitcher “officially” but by process of elimination, it’s going to go to a Big Three member.

Roy Halladay, the staff ace and top candidate for the NL Cy Young will pitch game one. Roy Oswalt, the Phils latest acquisition from Houston in exchange for J.A. Happ and prospects, will pitch game two. That leaves the sole left-hander in the rotation, and youngest of the Big Three, Cole Hamels to start game three.

Taking a look back on what these guys gave the Phillies, the team is blessed to have three pitchers of this caliber to throw in 17 out of 19 possible playoff games.

Halladay enjoyed a Cy Young-caliber year with a 21-10 record, 2.44 ERA, 219 strike outs, and a league-high 250.2 innings pitched, nine complete games, and four shut outs. He will pitch game one in Philly and game four in Cincy, the Phils likely opponent.

The choice to go with Oswalt in game two was an easy one for Manuel. On the season, Oswalt finished 13-13 with a 2.73 ERA and 192 strike outs. He saw his ERA drop nearly .70 since being traded to the Phils. Oswalt is 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in six starts in Philadelphia this year. He will be pitching games two and five, both in Philadelphia.

Hamels will take game three in Cincy. He enjoyed a great 2010 season, going 12-11 with a 3.09 ERA and 209 strike outs. Hamels is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in three career starts at Great American Ball Park, making the game three decision an easy one as well.